By Esther Onyegbula

As dementia cases continue to rise in Nigeria, healthcare professionals, policy advocates, and caregivers will converge in Lagos on Thursday, May 22, 2025, for a landmark conference aimed at tackling the country’s worsening dementia care crisis.

The “Dementia Care in Nigeria 2025 Conference,” organized by The Good Hands Initiative in partnership with the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine, will bring together leading global and local experts to chart urgent solutions. Themed “Empowering Voices: Driving Dementia Advocacy and Action,” the event will take place at The Dome Hall, Freedom Way, Lekki, at 11 a.m.

Nigeria is facing a growing public health challenge as aging populations and inadequate mental health infrastructure expose critical gaps in dementia care. Experts say the disease remains vastly underdiagnosed and misunderstood, leading to delayed interventions and poor patient outcomes.

Speaking on the event, Executive Director of The Good Hands Initiative, Mrs Ozioma Capuano, said: “This conference is coming at a crucial time when the country needs an urgent and coordinated response to dementia. It will be a space not just for dialogue but for equipping people with the tools they need to take action.”

Confirmed speakers include Dr. Sonia Anand, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at McMaster University, Canada; Mrs Olukemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Ministry of Health; and Matthias Kwenin, Specialist Family Physician. Other notable participants are Vera David-Emesiobum of Project Grey Elder Care Initiative, Mr Ayotunde Ajiboye of CareNest Pro, and Mrs Busola Shogbamimu, Director of MASC Home.

Organizers say the conference will feature hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and community strategy sessions aimed at strengthening grassroots dementia care and advocacy. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.

The event reflects a broader movement to address the global dementia epidemic, with a focus on closing care gaps in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

“This is more than a conference. It’s a rallying point for national and community-led action,” said Capuano.

Registration details are available on the conference website.